Boys’ track & field: Area teams to watch

Top area boys' track and field teams for the 2017 season:

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach: Curt Pakkebier

2016 state finish: 3rd place in Class 4A, 63 points (26 return)

Returning state placewinners: Jackson Coker, sr. (1st, discus; 3rd, shot put); Terrell Jordan Jr., jr. (2nd, shuttle hurdle relay; 6th, 110 hurdles); Keeler Dix, jr. (2nd, shuttle hurdle relay); Malik Haynes, sr. (6th, long jump)

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE

Coach: Bill Schwarz

2016 state finish: Class 4A champion, 87 points (29 return)

Returning state placewinners: Joah Banks, sr. (1st, 110 hurdles; 1st, 400 relay; 3rd, distance medley relay; 3rd, shuttle hurdle relay); Marty Borseth, sr. (1st, 400 relay; 3rd, distance medley relay); Mike Jasa, jr. (3rd, shuttle hurdle relay); Chavi Parks, jr. (3rd, shuttle hurdle relay); Matt Lorenz, sr. (4th, 3,200 relay; 5th, 800); Colton LaGrange, soph. (4th, 3,200 relay)

CENTER POINT-URBANA

Coach: Amy Marshall

2016 state finish: 6th place in Class 3A, 40 points (30 return)

Returning state placewinners: JoJo Frost, sr. (1st, 400; 1st, 400 hurdles; 2nd, 110 hurdles); Devin Smith, soph. (7th, distance medley relay); Jon Karteus, jr. (7th, distance medley relay)

LISBON

Coach: Casey Baxa

2016 state finish: Class 1A champion, 52 points (34.5 return)

Returning state placewinners: Jack Butteris, sr. (2nd, 400; 2nd, distance medley relay; 3rd, 200; 3rd, 1,600 relay); Jake Jennett, jr. (2nd, 3,200 relay); Payton Bahl, jr. (2nd, 3,200 relay); Thatcher Krob, jr. (2nd, 3,200 relay; 2nd, distance medley relay); Derek Bova, sr. (2nd, distance medley relay; 3rd, 1,600 relay); Bailey Arwine, jr. (2nd, distance medley relay; 3rd, 1,600 relay); Brett Givens, jr. (7th, long jump)

MOUNT VERNON

Coach: Ryan Whitman

2016 state finish: 4th place in Class 3A, 45 points (39.5 return)

Returning state placewinners: Tristan Wirfs, sr. (1st, discus; 1st, shot put); Jack Cochrane, sr. (1st, 3,200 relay); Zach Krogmann, sr. (1st, 3,200 relay); Jeremy Krogmann, sr. (1st, 3,200 relay); Jack Young, jr. (3rd, 1,600; 4th, 3,200); Cale Snedden, jr. (5th, distance medley relay)

VINTON-SHELLSBURG

Coach: Aric Chvala

2016 state finish: Class 3A runner-up, 56 points (22 return)

Returning state placewinners: Tyler Bartz, sr. (2nd, 400; 2nd, long jump; 2nd, 800 relay; 2nd, 1,600 relay); Blake Bohnsack, jr. (2nd, 1,600 relay)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com